Pole dancing competition coming to New Bern

By Francine SawyerSun Journal Staff

Published: Monday, April 1, 2013 at 5:39 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 1, 2013 at 5:39 p.m.

New Bern residents who were disappointed that a Cracker Barrel restaurant will not be opening at the New Bern Mall have something else to look forward to: A pole dancing competition is coming to the city on April 28.

The National Championship Pole Dance Competition will feature 12 women competitors, said Moses Carroll, manager of Gold's Gym and organizer of the event.

Carroll said Gold's Gym is sponsoring the event, which will be held at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.

“Pole dancing is a form of gymnastics. It helps muscle mass, it burns fat and strengthens endurance,” Carroll said.

He said pole dancing has been a popular form of exercise for the past 15 years, and for the past three years, the national championship has been held in New Orleans.

“The reason for the competition here in New Bern is because New Bern is a growing community. We wanted to bring something new and exciting to New Bern,” Carroll said.

He said the event is set up like a pageant. The entries must have a routine, without music, and there is a time limit.

Professional pole dancers will judge the competition.

While the 12 competitors are women, Carroll hopes a man will be available to do a pole dance routine.

Carroll said the event is not sexual in any way. However, he said some of the professional pole dancers have worked or do work in strip clubs.

Tickets start at $15 and go upward to $50. He said competition starts at 5 p.m. and should end by 8 p.m.

He said winners will be awarded a crystal diamond trophy, and the top contestant will be crowned national pole dancer and will be the spokesperson for Pole Dance America for a year.

Carroll said MC Health Care, a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy alternative activities for physical fitness, is also a sponsor.

He said Gold's Gym soon will be offering pole dancing fitness sessions. The event is to introduce the fitness routine in New Bern.

<p>New Bern residents who were disappointed that a Cracker Barrel restaurant will not be opening at the New Bern Mall have something else to look forward to: A pole dancing competition is coming to the city on April 28.</p><p>The National Championship Pole Dance Competition will feature 12 women competitors, said Moses Carroll, manager of Gold's Gym and organizer of the event.</p><p>Carroll said Gold's Gym is sponsoring the event, which will be held at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.</p><p>“Pole dancing is a form of gymnastics. It helps muscle mass, it burns fat and strengthens endurance,” Carroll said.</p><p>He said pole dancing has been a popular form of exercise for the past 15 years, and for the past three years, the national championship has been held in New Orleans.</p><p>“The reason for the competition here in New Bern is because New Bern is a growing community. We wanted to bring something new and exciting to New Bern,” Carroll said.</p><p>He said the event is set up like a pageant. The entries must have a routine, without music, and there is a time limit. </p><p>Professional pole dancers will judge the competition.</p><p>While the 12 competitors are women, Carroll hopes a man will be available to do a pole dance routine. </p><p>Carroll said the event is not sexual in any way. However, he said some of the professional pole dancers have worked or do work in strip clubs.</p><p>Tickets start at $15 and go upward to $50. He said competition starts at 5 p.m. and should end by 8 p.m.</p><p>He said winners will be awarded a crystal diamond trophy, and the top contestant will be crowned national pole dancer and will be the spokesperson for Pole Dance America for a year. </p><p>Carroll said MC Health Care, a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy alternative activities for physical fitness, is also a sponsor.</p><p>He said Gold's Gym soon will be offering pole dancing fitness sessions. The event is to introduce the fitness routine in New Bern.</p>